Ephesians Chapter 3:1-13 Outline: I.
The mystery of Christ now revealed: 3:1-13 A.
The stewardship given to Paul to proclaim it: 3:1-5
B.
The specific benefit to the Gentiles: 3:6
C.
The unmerited nature of this stewardship: 3:7-8
D.
This mystery includes the Church: 3:9-11
E.
This mystery brings confident access to God: 3:12-13
“At this stage in his argument Paul introduces himself, and explains his unique personal role in God's purpose for the Gentiles. It is not for nothing that he has come to be known as the ‘apostle to the Gentiles’” (Stott pp. 113-114). This chapter really is a prayer with a long introduction. "For this cause" (3:1) starts the prayer (compare with 1:15,3:14), verses 1-13 constitute the introduction or reason for the prayer and verses 14-19 contain the actual prayer. Ephesians 3:1 “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles”
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“For this cause”: Resuming the prayer started in 1:15, which will actually be expressed in 3:14-19. “The prisoner of Christ Jesus”: When Paul wrote this letter he was a prisoner in Rome, awaiting trial before Caesar (Acts 28:16, 30-31). “Any ordinary person would have said that Paul was the prisoner of the Roman government; and so he was. But Paul never thought of himself as the prisoner of Rome; he always thought of himself as the prisoner of Christ. One's point of view makes all the difference in the world” (Barclay p. 121). “Though imprisoned in Rome and awaiting trial by Caesar, Paul is the prisoner of Christ Jesus. Should his Lord decide that Paul must go free, all the armies of Nero could not stop him” (Boles p. 242). Jesus had the same perspective when standing before Pilate (John 19:10-12). “He had come to be a prisoner, not one who had been arrested for only a few days, but one that had been bound for several years” (Lenski p. 462). “In behalf of you Gentiles”: “For the sake of” (NASV). “The situation which led to Paul's arrest and subsequent detention in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome arose directly out of his Gentile ministry. It was while he was in Jerusalem with representatives of Gentile churches who were taking their churches' respective gifts that he was charged with violating the sanctity of the temple. This charge, and others associated with it, still hung over him as he waited in Rome for his appeal to come up for hearing in the supreme court” (Bruce pp. 309-310). Compare with Acts 21:17-36. “It was because he had publicly proclaimed that the gospel was intended for all the world and that God had sent him to the Gentiles that Paul was detested by the Jews and persecuted by them. To this hatred and persecution, indeed, his present imprisonment was due” (Erdman p. 65). See Acts 22:22. Ephesians 3:2 “if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward”. “If so be”: “Surely you have heard” (Boles p. 242). “Dispensation”: “Stewardship responsibility” (1 Corinthians 9:17 ‘trust committed to me’; Colossians 1:25 ‘commission God gave me’)” (Boles p. 243). See 1 Corinthians 4:1. “Dispensation from ‘house’ and ‘law’, carried the idea of the apostle's oversight, stewardship, or administration over God's
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message of grace to the Gentiles” (Spiritual Sword Lectureship p. 62). “I suppose, of the responsible charge with which God entrusted me for your benefit” (TCNT). “God had dispensed the administration of His grace toward the Gentiles into the hands of Paul” (Caldwell p. 108). God did not plan to reveal His truth directly to every individual, rather He chose men like Paul, who would speak it and record it accurately for all time. Paul knew the value of what had been entrusted to his care (2 Corinthians 4:7). He was fully aware of the fact that he was a steward entrusted with God's message of salvation to mankind (1 Corinthians 4:1). He knew that only one message existed which could lead people to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16). The idea that he corrupted it, inaccurately expressed it, or that God allowed Paul to express this priceless message with the words of Paul's own choosing, all fail to take into account the word "stewardship". Ephesians 3:3 “how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words” “By revelation”: “Modern theologians have argued much over whether Paul derived his thinking from Greek philosophers or Jewish rabbis, but Paul clearly states that it came from God” (Boles p. 243). Various truths about the Bible are learned from the word "revelation": It is understandable. It was designed (by divine wisdom) to be understood by all. It infers that unaided human wisdom is bankrupt (1 Corinthian 2:9; 1:21). It means that God's truth cannot be learned by "feelings" or intuition (Proverbs 16:25). “Paul had not discovered God's mystery by natural means. He had not reasoned to it. Man had not whispered it into his ear” (Caldwell p. 108). Compare with Galatians 1:11-12. “Paul always emphasized that the wonderful truth he brought to men was from God, not of himself, that it was given to him by Christ, disclaiming any credit whatever as belonging to himself” (Coffman p. 166). Therefore Paul's letters are not "Paul's Theology". It is God's point of view and in God's own selected words (1 Corinthians 2:13). “Was made known to me”: Again, Paul had not reasoned it out or stumbled upon it. Everyone on the face of this planet would be completely ignorant of the gospel message and God's will for mankind, if God had not spoken (1 Corinthians 2:9 “and which entered not into the heart of man”; Jeremiah 10:23). The gospel is not a product of the elite or super-smart. It had to
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be "made known" to Paul. This phrase contradicts the idea that Paul "invented" the gospel he preached or parts of it. “The mystery”: “Three times in this short paragraph Paul uses the word mystery (3:3,4,9). In English a mystery is something dark, obscure, secret, and puzzling. What is mysterious is inexplicable, even incomprehensible. The Greek word mysterion is different. Although still a secret, it is no longer closely guarded, but open. In Christianity there are no esoteric mysteries reserved for a spiritual elite. On the contrary the Christian mysteries are truths which, although beyond human discovery, have been revealed by God and so now belong openly to the whole church” (Stott p. 116). This mystery includes Christ and His new people, which would include both Jewish and Gentile believers (3:6; Colossians 4:3). “As I wrote before in few words”: “As I have already shortly written to you” (Con). “As I have already briefly told you” (TCNT). “I have already written a brief account of this” (NEB). This statement probably refers back to verses 1:9-10 or 2:14-16, in which Paul had briefly mentioned or explained this mystery. Ephesians 3:4 “whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ” “Whereby”: “By reading what I have written” (TCNT). “And by referring to this” (NASV). “Looking to which” (Robertson p. 530). “When ye read”: When ye read the Scriptures (including what Paul wrote and what he had just penned in this letter), for that is where the mystery of Christ is recorded for all time (2 Peter 3:15-16). Coffman points out, “The more radical critics have screamed themselves hoarse about such an interpretation; but it is logical, in keeping with other significant passages in the N.T.” (p. 167). Reading the Scriptures is one thing that stands between me and eternal life, hence I'd better learn how to read. Learn to love to read the Bible, that is, develop a love for the truth (Proverbs 23:23). Admit your own ignorance and be willing to learn (Proverbs 9:8-9; James 1:21). God's plan is that He would reveal His truth to a select few (3:5), and then have those men write it down for all to read. A corrupted Bible would mean that we
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are all lost. Hence we must abandon such a ridiculous idea (1 Peter 1:2325). Knowledge about God and His truth only comes through this medium. All other methods of discovering God's truth are vain, such as feelings, emotions, human opinion, and unaided human wisdom. The promise of "inspiration" never applied to everyone (John 14:26; 16:13). One can "believe" in God by reading the Bible (John 20:30-31). Everyone has access to the same truth since all can read and all can read the same exact message. Since the message doesn't change (1 Peter 1:23-25), misinterpretation of the message is always man's fault (2 Peter 3:16). Christianity is a "taught" religion and one cannot be saved unless one is willing to listen (John 6:44-45; Mark 16:15-16). Therefore, the "attitude" in which one listens to the preaching or reading of the gospel is essential (James 1:21). Some people read the Bible often and yet never understand the truth (2 Timothy 3:7). The word "read" also suggests that Paul conceived of this letter being "read" in public (1 Timothy 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). “As Paul's readers read the first two chapters and continued on with this present chapter, they would understand the plan which had been so long secret. What is more, they would understand Paul's own perception of the plan” (Boles p. 244). ”Ye can perceive”: Comprehend and understand. “You will be able to judge how far I understand this hidden purpose of God” (TCNT). “My understanding in the mystery of Christ”: This means that no truth has been lost in the revelation process. We can understand the gospel as well as Paul did. Paul did not invent the gospel message and neither did it arise from his own intellect. We can have the exact same insight into the gospel that Paul had because both we and Paul depend upon the same precise information for understanding God’s will, that is, God’s revelation. God's word came to Paul in direct form. It comes to us in written form, but it is the same word of God. "Concept Inspiration", the idea that God revealed "concepts" to the Apostles but allowed them to express those concepts using the words and language of their own choosing, makes the Bible into nothing more than "uninspired" commentary, or "human wisdom" trying to explain Divine truth. Paul is very clear: God revealed the truth to him, he wrote it down, now when people read what he wrote they can understand it just like he did.
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Exact or precise understanding of the writings of the apostles is possible. In fact, it is not only possible--it is commanded (Ephesians 5:17). Hence "interpretation" is not as complicated and hopeless as some people make it out to be. Correct understanding (interpretation) involves proper attitudes (Matthew 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; James 1:21) and some diligent effort (2 Timothy 2:15). In addition, properly understanding the Bible also involves understanding some basic principles: God is God and we are not, He speaks we listen. Jesus has the final word in all religious matters (Matthew 28:18). His word takes precedence over any and every human authority that could be cited. The Bible is verbally inspired, God chose the exact words. Hence, respecting the place, meaning, and position of every word is mandatory (1 Corinthians 2:13; Galatians 3:16). The Scriptures give us every truth that we need to effectively serve God (2 Timohty 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3). Adding to or subtracting from the Scriptures is soundly condemned (Proverbs 30:6; 2 John 9; Revelation 22:18-19). God is right, even when every human authority argues to the contrary (Romans 3:4). The New Testament is the standard all will be judged by (John 12:48). Time and culture do not change the truths found in the gospel (Revelation 21:8; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Ephesians 3:5 “which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit” “Which”: The above revealed mystery, the gospel revealed to Paul. “In other generations was not made known unto the sons of men”: “That God would bless the Gentiles was not a new revelation (Genesis 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; Isaiah 11:10; 49:6; 60:1-3; Hosea 2:23; 1:10; Deut. 32:21; Isaiah 65:1; Romans 15:8-12). It was that God would bless the Gentiles directly through Christ, not as Jewish proselytes through the law” (Boles pp. 244-245). “In O.T. times it was commonly supposed that Gentiles would be saved, but that they first must become Jews in order to receive the benefits the Messiah would bring” (Erdman p. 66). In addition, this mystery also involved the complete setting aside of the First Covenant, including the favored status of the nation of Israel. “The Jewish nation under God's rule would be terminated, and replaced by a new
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international community, the church and that Jews and Gentiles would be incorporated into Christ and His church on equal terms without any distinction” (Stott p. 118). “As it hath now been revealed”: And this revelation was for all nations (Romans 16:26; Colossians 1:26; Mark 16:15-16). “Holy apostles and prophets”: The prophets mentioned are New Testament prophets (1 Peter 1:10-12; Ephesians 4:11; 2:20). “He had already claimed this revelation for himself (3:3). Now he claims it for all the other apostles and prophets of God” (Robertson p. 530). Therefore all the apostles and first century prophets taught the same gospel (Galatians 2:6,9). Hence those who claim some supposed "rift" in teaching between Paul and Peter or Paul and any other New Testament writer, find themselves holding onto a false teaching. “Holy”: Because they had been set apart for this purpose. “In the Spirit”: “By the Spirit” (KJV). Through the Holy Spirit this mystery was revealed (1 Corinthians 2:11-13). Jesus had promised what Paul here explains (John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13) Ephesians 3:6 “To wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellowmembers of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel”. “To wit”: “That is to say or namely” (Coffman p. 169). Paul now gives one specific element of this formerly hidden truth. “Are fellow-heirs”: “Fully on a par with the original heirs, the believing Israelites. Many may be fellow heirs like a son and a servant, the latter being remembered in the will with a small portion. Not so the Gentiles” (Lenski p. 473). Compare with Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:26-29; Acts 20:32; 26:18. Gentiles are not "step-children" in the kingdom of God, rather obedient Gentiles are as much "sons" as are obedient Jews, and both will receive the exact same quality of inheritance (1 Peter 1:4). “Fellow-heirs of the body”: “Members of the same body” (Con). “Gentiles have equal access with the Jews to become members of this body. While Old Testament proselytes were never fully accepted on the level of those who were Jews by birth, the church draws no lines of nationality, color or social status” (Boles p. 246-247). “Fellow-partakers of the promise”: “Partakers of the same promise” (Con). “Equal partners in God's promise” (Phi). Gentiles did not
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get a "second-rate" promise. They can obtain all the promises that the believing Jewish person obtains. “In Christ Jesus”: Only those "in Christ" actually obtain God's promises, which means that baptism stands between one and receiving God's promises (Galatians 3:26-27). “Through the gospel”: This is the message that informs Jews and Gentiles of this promise and how to obtain the benefits of it. Ephesians 3:7 “whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of His power”. “Whereof”: “For which” (Wms). “Of this Good News I became a minister” (TCNT). “Minister”: A servant. “According to the gift of that grace of God”: Paul realized that his selection to be an apostle was unmerited and undeserved (1 Corinthians 15:9-10; Galatians 1:15). "He just cannot get over it", Hendriksen notes, "that God chose him, even himself, Paul, the great persecutor of the church, to proclaim the gospel" (Boles p. 247). “According to the working of His power”: “And by the power with which he equipped me” (Phi). “That working energy of God had been both exercised and exhibited in Paul's conversion (such as when Jesus appeared to Him, and when God forgave him upon being baptized (Colossians 2:12), in the revelations made known to him, and in the powerful miraculous helps bestowed upon him to enable him to proclaim the truth. Paul spoke here of the special abilities given to him as an apostle. Paul did not work under his own power but under the power of God. He was a servant (minister) empowered by his Master” (Caldwell p. 115). Ephesians 3:8 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”. “Unto me”: Over 20 years after his conversion and appointment, Paul still stands amazed that God choose him to be an apostle. “Who am less than the least of all saints”: “Less than the least of all Christians” (Phi). See 1 Corinthians 15:8. “In affirming this he is neither indulging in hypocrisy nor groveling in self-depreciation. He means it. He is deeply conscious
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both of his own unworthiness because he ‘formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted' Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 1:13). A good indication that his modesty was neither sham nor morbid is that it did not hinder him from taking responsibility as an apostle” (Stott p. 119). The above comment gives us an excellent measuring stick for humility. True humility will always assume its responsibilities as a Christian. True humility says, "I'm undeserving, but I still need to use my talents". False or mock humility uses the expression "I'm no good" as an excuse to cover its failure to do any good. Coffman makes a good point concerning those who claim that some disciple or admirer of Paul actually wrote this letter: “The falsehood inherent in the theory of pseudonymous authorship of Ephesians shines in a passage like this. As Bruce said, ‘No disciple of Paul's would have dreamed of giving the apostle so low a place’; furthermore, it is obvious to any thoughtful person that ‘no Christian who ever lived’ would have given Paul so low a place! That is, none expect the apostle himself who wrote the epistle” (p. 170). “The unsearchable”: That which is past finding out, not tracked and untraceable. “Which cannot be tracked out” (Vincent p. 381). “Like a reservoir so deep that soundings cannot reach the bottom of it no limit can be placed on the resources of Christ. No sinner can be so foul, no multitude can be so huge, that the blood of Christ and the love of Christ are inadequate” (Boles p. 248). “Trackless, inexplorable, not in the sense that any part is inaccessible, but that the whole is too vast to be mapped out and measured” (Coffman p. 170). “Riches of Christ”: “Boundless wealth to be found in the Christ” (TCNT). “The endless treasures available to them in Christ” (Tay). “Usually precious things are rare, their rarity increasing their value; but here that which is most precious is boundless” (Coffman p. 170). “Jowett compared our effort to fathom the riches of God to a man starting to measure the dimensions of a lake and discovering that it is a cove on the edge of the ocean” (Caldwell p. 118). Unfortunately, sometimes Christians apply "unsearchable" to the Word of God, and then conclude that the Bible can never be fully understood or understood correctly. Remember, Paul has already said that we can "perceive his insight" (3:4). Stott has some good comments concerning these "unsearchable riches": “What these riches are we may judge from
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Paul's exposition in Ephesians 1 and 2. They are riches freely available because of the cross. They include resurrection from the death of sin, victorious enthronement with Christ in the heavenlies, reconciliation with God, incorporation with Jewish believers in His new society, the end of hostility and the beginning of peace, access to the Father through Christ, membership of His kingdom and household, and all this only a foretaste of yet more riches to come” (p. 120). “To preach unto the Gentiles”: “Indirectly in these past verses the apostle has indicated two of the strongest incentives to evangelism. All revealed truth is held in stewardship. It is given to be shared not monopolized. If men cannot keep their scientific discoveries to themselves, how much less should we keep to ourselves the divine disclosures? Paul then went on to emphasize the valuable content of the message itself. He was convinced, as we must be, that Christ never impoverishes those who put their trust in him. Once we are sure that the gospel is both truth from God and riches for mankind, nobody will be able to silence us” (Stott pp. 120-121). The phrase "unsearchable riches" should cause us to turn a deaf ear to those who claim that Christianity has caused all the world's problems. True Christianity, when applied, always makes a better person. Ephesians 3:9 “and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things”. “And to make all men see”: “And to enlighten all men” (Alf). “And to bring to light” (Rhm). See Acts 26:17-18. “All men”: The gospel is for all men (Mark 16:15-16). No Calvinistic predestination or limited atonement here. The purpose of preaching isn't to entertain or make people merely feel good, rather the purpose of preaching the gospel is to open the eyes of sinners to reality (Ephesians 1:18; 5:7-9; Colossians 1:26; 2 Corinthians 4:4). “Dispensation”: “The administration (as in v. 2) was the ‘stewardship’ or ‘responsibility’ of how the plan was to be worked out. The focus is on how God has chosen to work out his secret purpose” (Boles p. 249). “Of the mystery”: “To make clear what is God's way of working out that hidden purpose” (TCNT). “Of bringing to light how this
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hidden purpose was to be put into effect” (NEB). 1 Timothy 3:16 well sums up this previously hidden truth. “Which for ages hath been hid in God”: Colossians 1:26.It was so hidden that even angels were ignorant of God's plan (1 Peter 1:10-12). “That the gospel of Christ was intended for the whole world is no new idea. This mystery has always been in the mind of God. The evangelization of the world is no modern project. The Jews, to whom God gave His divine revelation, narrowly concluded that salvation was for themselves, and possibly for some Gentiles who might ally themselves with them. However God opened the eyes of Paul, and others to understand the wideness of His mercy” (Erdman p. 69). “Who created all things”: “He is not required to answer to any being, least of all to man. He had the right to choose the time for making known His purposes because He had created all things” (Caldwell p. 119). “This is no trifling matter; it connects with God's grandest operations” (Coffman p. 171). The same God who created the universe is the same God who has brought salvation to mankind. Therefore true science and true religion will always harmonize seeing that God is the author of both realms. Ephesians 3:10 “to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God” “To the intent”: “And His reason?” (Tay). “In order that now” (Rhm). “The purpose is” (Phi). “A special kind of manifestation has been declared by Paul. In one verse he explains who sees it, ‘through whom’ they see it, and exactly ‘what’ they see” (Caldwell p. 120). “Principalities and powers in the heavenly places”: Various views exist concerning "who" is included in the above phrase. The phrase "heavenly places" would rule out earthly governments or the Jewish religious leaders (1:3). Angels have longed to look into this plan (1 Peter 1:12). The only question is, does this passage include evil powers? (6:12) “Made known”: Spiritual beings such as angels, and even the devil are not "all-knowing". The good news is that the devil does have some "blind spots". God's plan was even hidden from the prince of darkness and even the devil didn't know what God was really up to. “Through the church”: “By means of the Church” (Vincent p. 382). “Manifold”: Much variegated.
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The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). The church does preach and proclaim God's wisdom, that is, the wisdom revealed in the gospel message. But the church also demonstrates the wisdom of God, by its very existence. "The fact that God had done the seemingly impossible--reconciling and organically uniting Jews and Gentiles in the church--makes the church the perfect means of displaying God's wisdom" (Boles p. 250). “Thus, the church does not exist for itself; it exists for God and His glory” (p. 250). “And in this new phenomenon, this new multiracial humanity, the wisdom of God was being displayed. Indeed, the coming into existence of the church, as a community of saved and reconciled people, is at one and the same time a public demonstration of God's power, grace and wisdom” (Stott p. 123). “This church of Christ is designed to be an object of wonder and amazement to heavenly beings of every station and rank” (Erdman p. 70). “God's wisdom has been seen and continues to be seen in the spirit realm and by all on earth who reflect upon the Lord's provisions. Paul did not say that the wisdom of God is seen in our imperfect human activity in the church. It is seen in the infinite plan of God and in His ability to match any situation of life with which we are faced, nonetheless bringing us together in one body unto Himself. Our absurd stupidity is made known when we disregard any aspect of His plan, challenge His authority in the church, or question His revelation of truth” (Caldwell p. 122). God's wisdom is only seen in the church when we follow His plan. Human innovation, addition or subtraction, "makes known" human shortsightedness. Every aspect of the church reflects God's wisdom such as the terms of entrance and exit (yes, church discipline, when properly carried out, demonstrates how wise God's plan is), its organization, worship, and work. Every time a church departs from God's revelation in a particular area, it is refusing to listen to God's wisdom, Hence, if we love God and if we want to see Him get all the credit (Matthew 5:16) and the glory due His name, then we will be content and happy to follow His revelation and only His revelation (John 14:15). Ephesians 3:11 “according to the eternal purpose which He
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purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord”. “According”: “This was in accordance” (NASV). “This was according to” (RSV). “In conformity to that timeless purpose which He centered in Christ Jesus” (Phi). “The eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord”: “God has not had to change His plans in reaction to unexpected opposition from men or angels” (Boles p. 251). The church is an essential part of God's eternal purpose. It is the "one body" in which God planned to save all believers (2:16; 5:23). “The church was not substituted for the kingdom because the Jews rejected His initial proposals. The church was not a stop-gap measure until the kingdom could be introduced at the second-coming of the Lord. He has no new plans. He has no plans revised because of man's rejection of his Son” (Caldwell p. 122). Caldwell makes some good observations concerning the "Church" and the "Kingdom of God": They share a common origin in date and place (Isaiah 2:2-3; Acts 2:1-47). Identical boundary and territory (Daniel 2:44; Mark 16:15). The same ownership (John 18:36; Matthew 16:18). Common rulership (1 Timothy 6:15; Ephesians 5:23). The same requirements for entrance (John 3:5; Acts 2:38). Common membership for citizenship in fellowship (Colossians 1:13-14). And the same memorial supper (Matthew 26:29; 1 Corinthians 11:20-27) and anticipate the same time of deliverance (1 Corinthians15:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)” (p. 123). One cannot separate Christ from His church (1:22-23). Stott adds: “The major lesson taught by this first half of Ephesians 3 is the biblical centrality of the church. Some people construct a Christianity which consists entirely of a personal relationship to Jesus Christ and has virtually nothing to do with the church. Others make a grudging concession to the need for church membership” (p. 126). Ephesians 3:12 “in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in Him”. “In whom”: In Christ. Again, Christ is the only access to God (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:16; 1 Timothy 2:5). “Boldness”: “Christian boldness is revealed as being at least partially the responsibility of the Christian
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himself to maintain it, and encourage it in others. It is the spiritual equivalent of the confidence displayed by a good athlete manifesting at all times a winning attitude” (Coffman p. 173). This "boldness" is not based in worldly pride. Some people approach God with boldness, because they think that God owes them something, God is a sentimental old man, or that God just approves of everyone. This boldness rather is rooted in the fact that we have become Christians, the barrier of sin has been removed (a barrier we created) and through Jesus Christ we are admitted into His presence (Hebrews 10:17-22). The word "boldness" suggests an "alltelling". “It was the classical Greek word for freedom of speech, the right ‘to say everything’ one wished to say. Only those with the status of citizen had this right” (Boles p. 252). Therefore the Christian has the "right" or privilege to cast "all" their cares upon God (1 Peter 5:7), and to be heard. The person outside of Christ does not have this right. God is under no moral obligation to respond to the prayers of the disobedient and unbelieving. “Access”: Admission. “In confidence”: “Confident access” (NASV). “Can approach without fear to God in trustful confidence” (Con). “We can come fearlessly right into God's presence, assured of His glad welcome” (Tay). (Hebrews 4:16). “Through our faith in Him”: Romans 5:1-2. Unbelief cuts off "access to God" (James 1:6-8). Lack of faith will stop us dead in our tracks. This "access" to God is conditional. God has enabled the Christian to approach Him, but the Christian must exercise his or her own faith. We must draw nigh with "a sincere heart" (Hebrews 10:22-23). Caldwell reminds us: “We must remember that pagan idolaters are confident and bold in prayer while practicing the most heathen rites of worship. With that in mind, we realize that our confidence is only as good as our information” (p. 128). Other passages mention the confidence and access of which the Christian is to take advantage (1 John 5:14; Heb. 10:35; 1 John 3:21-22; 4:17). Ephesians 3:13 “Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory” “Wherefore”: In view of all the blessings available to Christians, including the Christians in Ephesus. “I ask”: Paul could not keep Christians from
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fainting or giving up, rather all he can do is exhort them with great objective truths. “May not faint”: To become weary or give up (Galatians 6:9; 2 Corinthians 4:1,16). “At my tribulations”: “I beg you not to be disheartened at the sufferings” (TCNT). “So please do not lose heart at what they are doing to me here” (Tay). “Paul also had to encourage the Philippians (1:12-14 and 2:17-18) and the Colossians (1:24) in regard to his imprisonment. Paul wants the Ephesian believers to see that imprisonment does not mean defeat” (Boles p. 253). “Paul's readers might have lost heart. They might have supposed that the cause of Christ was failing. His work seemed to have ended. The Gentile believers might well have been discouraged. The apostle reasoned otherwise. However, painful imprisonment and distress must argue a great cause; they must signify an enterprise worthy of such a price. Unless some great purpose was being accomplished the Master would not allow his servant to suffer such pain. It indicated the dignity of their position, the exalted character of their destiny, which was being secured at so great a cost” (Erdman p. 71). “For you, which are your glory”: “For it does you honor” (Gspd). “They could feel honored that one who was accomplishing so divine a mission was suffering for them” (Erdman p. 71). “Indeed, Paul was defending their full and unhindered access to blessings in Christ for which every Gentile should be grateful!” (Spiritual Sword Lectureship p. 69). “If Paul is willing to endure everything for his work's sake, that work must be great and valuable indeed; if God permitted Paul to endure so much as the consequence of his work, this showed God's own estimate of his work” (Lenski p. 488). As a result Paul informs these Gentile Christians that the very existence of his suffering should greatly encourage them, because God knew that every effort should be made in affirming the right of Gentiles to be saved. We are reminded here that the souls of Gentiles have great worth (Matthew 16:26). If we are to spread the message, we must be prepared to endure some suffering (2 Timothy 3:12; Acts 14:22). Erdman reminds us, “Suffering is ever involved in the enterprise of evangelizing the world. So it is in all great causes. The most priceless possessions of mankind have ever been secured by peril, toil,
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and pain. Opposition, difficulty, even apparent failure, are not reasons for abandoning a divinely appointed task� (pp. 71-72). “If the church is central to God's purpose it must surely also be central to our lives. How dare we take lightly what God takes so seriously? How dare we push to the circumference what God has placed at the center? No, we shall seek to become responsible church members, active in some local manifestation of the universal church. We shall not be able to acquiesce in low standards which fall far short of the New Testament ideals for God's new society, whether mechanical, meaningless worship services, or fellowship which is icy cold and even spoiled by rivalries which make the Lord's Supper a farce, or such inward-looking isolationism as to turn the church into a ghetto which is indifferent to the outside world. If instead (like Paul) we keep before us the vision of God's new society as His family, His dwelling place, and His instrument in the world, then we shall constantly be seeking to make our church's worship more authentic, its fellowship more caring and its outreach more compassionate. In other words (like Paul again), we shall be ready to pray, to work and if necessary to suffer in order to turn the vision into a reality� (Stott pp. 129-130).
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